Rep. Salman Bhojani

Maddy summaryHB 4457 creates a formal process for Texas insurance companies to request temporary exemptions (waivers) from specific regulations that might hinder innovative insurance products. The insurance commissioner can grant these waivers if applicants demonstrate the innovation won’t increase consumer risk, public policy goals are met another way, and the waiver serves the public interest. It explicitly prohibits waivers for solvency rules, assigned risk plans, tax requirements, or guaranty fund participation. This directly affects insurers developing new technology for pricing, coverage, or customer experience, requiring them to apply through a commissioner-approved process.

Maddy summaryHB 195 requires Texas counties to post specific financial details about school districts on their public websites. It applies to school districts with local revenue above a certain threshold (as defined by Texas education law) that have taken steps to reduce revenue, and to all school districts in the county for which this doesn't apply. The bill mandates counties to display the percentage of a district's maintenance and operations revenue coming from local taxes versus state funds for both the current and prior school years. For qualifying districts, it also requires posting the percentage of taxes used for attendance credits, making school funding sources more transparent to the public.

Maddy summaryHB 13 creates the Texas Interoperability Council to develop a statewide plan ensuring emergency communication systems (like those used by police, fire, and medical responders) can work together effectively during crises. The council will administer grants to help local governments (counties, cities, and special districts) purchase interoperable equipment and build necessary communication infrastructure. Key provisions require the council to create a strategic plan for statewide emergency communication coordination and establish a grant program focused on equipment that connects across different emergency services. The council is composed of seven members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and House speaker, with specific terms and governance rules. This bill directly affects local emergency response capabilities by addressing equipment compatibility gaps.

Maddy summaryHB 4445 modifies Texas law governing school districts' participation in the Uniform Group Coverage Program for active school employees. It requires school districts (the "entities" affected) to provide written notice to the program trustee by December 31 of the year before a new plan year begins, and prohibits discontinuing participation until five years after joining the program. The bill repeals an existing section of the Insurance Code and takes effect September 1, 2025. This bill directly impacts school districts managing health coverage for their active employees under this state program.

Maddy summaryHB 4444 allows Texas public libraries to use existing funds - including state money - to provide multilingual library services and resources for the three fastest-growing, non-English or Spanish-speaking communities in their county. It defines "emerging communities" as groups sharing a common ethnicity with positive population growth between the last two U.S. censuses. Libraries must offer easily accessible digital resources and create communication plans to reach these communities. The bill directly affects county public libraries and the specific immigrant or minority groups identified as emerging communities. It does not require new funding but permits existing library budgets to support targeted language services.

Maddy summaryHB 1805 proposes creating the Religious Freedom Commission within the governor's office to address religious liberty issues. The bill requires the governor to appoint seven Texas residents with expertise in religious freedom or leadership experience in major faith communities (including Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim groups). The commission would advise the governor, identify policies violating religious freedom, and recommend solutions to the legislature. It would meet quarterly with a four-member quorum, but members would receive no salary and only travel expense reimbursement. This is a procedural bill establishing an advisory body, not changing existing laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2135 defines "organized retail theft" as intentionally receiving, selling, or disposing of $100 or more in stolen or misrepresented retail merchandise, with penalties increasing based on the total value (e.g., $100-$750 = misdemeanor, $300,000+ = first-degree felony). It specifically targets individuals who organize, manage, or facilitate such theft rings, or who use devices to disable security systems during theft. The bill directly affects people involved in coordinated retail theft operations, including those who handle stolen goods or manipulate store security. If passed, it would change prosecution standards for these offenses, making higher-value thefts subject to more severe criminal penalties. The bill is currently pending in the Criminal Jurisprudence committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1063 would allow Texas cities and counties to create local tenant legal services offices that provide free legal help to low-income residential tenants. These offices would offer full legal representation for indigent tenants facing eviction or disability discrimination (as defined in Property Code §301.025), and brief legal assistance for low-income tenants in eviction cases. The bill defines "low-income" as earning under 400% of the federal poverty level and "indigent" as under 200%, ensuring services target those most in need. It gives local governments flexibility to establish these offices through city departments or nonprofit contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 669 creates a publicly accessible database listing Texas employers who have failed to pay wages or been convicted of wage theft crimes. The database will include employers penalized under labor law, ordered to pay wages but failed to comply, or convicted under specific wage theft statutes (Sections 61.019 or 31.04 of the Penal Code). Employers must be notified 180 days before listing and can dispute inclusion within 21 days. The database will list employers for three years unless removed through the dispute process, and must include business names plus owner details for business entities. This directly affects employers with wage violations and provides transparency for employees seeking information about potential wage theft.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill) recognizing March 27, 2025, as "CASA Day at the State Capitol." It formally commends the Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) network for its work advocating for children in foster care across 74 local programs. The resolution honors CASA's efforts in supporting nearly 18,000 youth annually through volunteer advocacy.